Sold my old Nissan Murano and looking for a new/used 4x4 Xterra. Narrowed down my choices to new vs old. Both great deals (I think), one is manual and new, other is auto and lightly used.
New Xterra: Dealerships offering ~6k of MSRP for 2012 S 4x4 6sp MANUAL (29,700 down to 23,760) with 1.9% financing = $25k
Used Xterra: 2007 S with 42,000mi asking $14k, AUTO 4x4
Considering the new 2014 will be redesigned, possibly available in 2013, I'm leaning towards going used and trade for the new body style in ~2-4 years. I'd have fun with a manual but resale wise, I would take a bigger hit selling a used 6sp 2012, or a used Auto 2007.... Thanks for the input in advance.
Auto is easier to operate offroad and much nicer in traffic. 42K is pretty much the beginning of its young life and break in period just ended so if it is well maintained 14K is a much better price. Save the 9K for mods!
I wouldn't count on there being a redesign anywhere near that soon. The Titan might get redesigned for 2014, but the Frontier/Xterra won't follow for at least a year after that.
As much as I love a manual tranny and always emphasize how nice it is to have full control over your vehicle with one... I've gotta say pricepoint the 07 sounds like a pretty nice deal. Especially if it happens to be an OR model. If it's not OR then I'd be a little more indecisive, but if it is and it has been well cared for I'd say the used one is the way to go. If you're looking for a 4x4 then I'd imagine you'd have much less concern taking a $14k vehicle through the rough stuff than you would a $25k vehicle.
So I agree with ShiftingSkys, I'd say go used and build it up the way you want, then have lots of fun with it!
I generally always avoid buying a new car...depreciable asset...with the biggest drop in value in the first 3 years or so...buying a well maintained 3-4 year old car is always the better deal financially. Generally you wouldn't buy a car with the intent to sell it later as you will almost always end up on the losing end of the deal.
Also, depends on your plans for the vehicle...modify it? offroad it? You don't want to take a 25k loan and run it through some trails...well...i dont lol.
I am a bit biased towards used cars though...if you are pretty handy and able to do a lot of maintenance on your own, you really don't need any of that extended warranty garbage from the dealer...they let you pay for it while they know the warranty is just long enough to entice money out of you, but not quite long enough to let something catastrophic happen.
I'm breaking from the pack, I suppose... I enjoy the comforts of my AT (not the cost to repair the SMOD, though!) the price diff is also 5 model years.
I think it's a pretty good price for new - the the used one was only by a little old lady who drove it to church on Sundays and it has good maintenance history, then maybe it is a decent deal, but with 2013 on us, the vehicle is now 6 years old and the value is significantly less... just my $.02
I've had plenty of new cars and plenty of used cars in my life - the used ones always needed something. Always.
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Dustin Tarditi
Raleigh, NC
2006 Granite S
I'm breaking from the pack, I suppose... I enjoy the comforts of my AT (not the cost to repair the SMOD, though!) the price diff is also 5 model years.
I think it's a pretty good price for new - the the used one was only by a little old lady who drove it to church on Sundays and it has good maintenance history, then maybe it is a decent deal, but with 2013 on us, the vehicle is now 6 years old and the value is significantly less... just my $.02
I've had plenty of new cars and plenty of used cars in my life - the used ones always needed something. Always.
This. Pretty much my thoughts on the topic, all of it. And yes, I bought an AT as well. I've rowed my own gears all my life, the AT is nice and comfortable.
Also, depends on your plans for the vehicle...modify it? offroad it? You don't want to take a 25k loan and run it through some trails...well...i dont lol.
It would be my daily driver but I'd love to mod it some. Definitely plan to use the 4x4 a good amount.
UPDATE: found mix of new and used, 2009 Offroad Automatic with 54k, clean carfax. Only problem is dealer wont budge from $17,200. It needs is new tires, which might run me ~900-1000 for something decent?
Thanks for the low down, ENDMUNDS/KBB is $17,500 btw
Last edited by XUGG; 11-13-2012 at 06:02 PM.
Reason: ENDMUNDS/KBB $17,500
It would be my daily driver but I'd love to mod it some. Definitely plan to use the 4x4 a good amount.
UPDATE: found mix of new and used, 2009 Offroad Automatic with 54k, clean carfax. Only problem is dealer wont budge from $17,200. It needs is new tires, which might run me ~900-1000 for something decent?
Thanks for the low down, ENDMUNDS/KBB is $17,500 btw
Tell them to throw new tires on that thing or drop the price.
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Great deals, tough choice.
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